US President Biden announced that Cuba will be withdrawn from the list of countries designated by the US as sponsors of terrorism. It is difficult to evaluate the impact that this decision will have on travellers who have visited Cuba in the past and who want to apply now for an ESTA USA.
States sponsors of terrorism
Over the past decades, Cuba has been several times been included on the US list of countries that sponsor terrorism. The country was first listed as a state sponsor of terrorism under Ronald Reagan's presidency. In 2015, President Obama removed the country from the list, but 2021, president Trump included the country in this list again. Now, President Biden has announced his intention to remove Cuba from the list.
In addition to Cuba, several other countries such as North Korea, Iran and Syria are included on this list. Countries included in the list face sanctions such as a ban on defence imports, reduction of US development aid and other financial restrictions. Being part of this list has important consequences not only for the residents of these countries, but also for travellers who have visited them.
Consequences for travellers who have been to Cuba
That Cuba is considered a state sponsor of terrorism affects not only Cuban citizens, but also Europeans who have visited the country. Travellers who have been to Cuba after 12 January 2021 are not be eligible for an ESTA, the US digital travel authorisation. This also affects travellers whose second nationality is Cuban.
Travellers who have been to Cuba or who have obtained the Cuban nationality after 2021 need to apply for a US visa instead of an ESTA. This is a much more complicated process. In order to apply for a US visa, it is actually necessary to make an appointment and go through an interview at the US consulate. The waiting time for this interview can sometimes be several weeks. In contrast, the ESTA can be applied for online in a only a few minutes.
President Biden's decision
Shortly before the end of his term, President Biden announced that he would remove Cuba from the State sponsors of terrorism list. According to president Biden, Cuba has not supported terrorist organisations in the last six months and the Cuban government has guaranteed the US that it will not happen the future either. It is difficult to know whether this decision will be maintained by the new US president, Donald Trump. The new president, who in 2021 described the country as a haven for terrorists, has already been critical of Cuba in the past.
Uncertainty over the consequences for ESTA
It is difficult to say if travellers who visited Cuba after 12 January 2021 will be eligible again for the US ESTA from now on. The US Customs and Border Protection department still states on its website that travellers who have been to Cuba after that date are not eligible for the ESTA. Moreover, President Trump could soon reverse the decision. Travellers who have recently been to Cuba and are planning a trip to the United States are advised to monitor the latest news on the ESTA application requirements.